US8549764B2 - Fluid tilt sensor within ink tank supply item for micro-fluid applications - Google Patents
Fluid tilt sensor within ink tank supply item for micro-fluid applications Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US8549764B2 US8549764B2 US13/241,980 US201113241980A US8549764B2 US 8549764 B2 US8549764 B2 US 8549764B2 US 201113241980 A US201113241980 A US 201113241980A US 8549764 B2 US8549764 B2 US 8549764B2
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- fluid
- container
- capacitance
- pair
- housing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related, expires
Links
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 122
- 238000003384 imaging method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 34
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 18
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 abstract description 5
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 abstract description 4
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 abstract 1
- 238000007639 printing Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000000976 ink Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000007641 inkjet printing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009472 formulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01C—MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
- G01C9/00—Measuring inclination, e.g. by clinometers, by levels
- G01C9/18—Measuring inclination, e.g. by clinometers, by levels by using liquids
- G01C9/20—Measuring inclination, e.g. by clinometers, by levels by using liquids the indication being based on the inclination of the surface of a liquid relative to its container
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
- G01F23/22—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water
- G01F23/26—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields
- G01F23/263—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields by measuring variations in capacitance of capacitors
- G01F23/266—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields by measuring variations in capacitance of capacitors measuring circuits therefor
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
- B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
- B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
- B41J2/17566—Ink level or ink residue control
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
- G01F23/22—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water
- G01F23/26—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields
- G01F23/263—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields by measuring variations in capacitance of capacitors
- G01F23/268—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields by measuring variations in capacitance of capacitors mounting arrangements of probes
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
- G01F23/80—Arrangements for signal processing
- G01F23/802—Particular electronic circuits for digital processing equipment
- G01F23/804—Particular electronic circuits for digital processing equipment containing circuits handling parameters other than liquid level
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates generally to micro-fluid applications, such as inkjet printing.
- the present disclosure relates particularly to a fluid container that senses tilting during such application. Tilting is determined based on capacitive sensing by in-tank tilt sensors.
- a permanent or semi-permanent printhead has access to a local or remote supply of fluid.
- the fluid is usually stored in a container, such as a tank or a cartridge.
- the container is installed within the housing of the imaging device. The fluid ejects from the printhead nozzles to a print media in a pattern of pixels corresponding to images being printed.
- the printhead maintains a backpressure so that fluid cannot leak out of the printhead nozzles.
- tilting an imaging device having a local supply of fluid may cause serious issues. This is most commonly a problem for imaging devices which rely on the difference in the height of the printhead and the fluid container for setting the backpressure of the printhead.
- Imaging devices can warn users that the imaging device is tilted. Also, an operation of the imaging device may be suspended if the imaging device is tilted in order to avoid fluid spillage. Users may also be advised to perform corrective measures.
- One existing method for detecting tilting is to install a traditional electrical tilt sensor on the imaging device's circuit board.
- the firmware closes a fluidic valve between the printhead and the fluid container in order to prevent the fluid from leaking out of the printhead nozzles.
- a dedicated electrical tilt sensor increases the cost of the imaging device.
- capacitive tilt detection is a method by which a pair of metal plates or electrodes are placed on the fluid container to constitute a capacitive in-tank sensor with one electrode being used in conjunction with a transmit circuit, and the other being used as a receiver.
- the same sensors may be utilized to determine tilting of the container. Utilizing the same sensors to determine the level of fluid and to determine tilting of the container lowers the manufacturing cost.
- circuitry Upon application of electrical energy, circuitry measures capacitance of the fluid residing in the space between the capacitive electrodes.
- the receiver electrode and circuitry measures the capacitance of the fluid residing in the space between the capacitive electrodes.
- the capacitance varies according to the volume of fluid residing in the space between the capacitive electrodes.
- the volume of fluid between the capacitive electrodes changes as the level of fluid between the capacitive electrodes changes.
- This method of using capacitive electrodes in detecting tilting of the container has several benefits inherent to it, including that no probe or other sensor intrusion into the tank is needed to measure capacitance, no clear window is needed for optical sensing at each level, and the same pair of capacitive electrodes used in ink level detection provides the capacitance readings to be used in detecting tilting during the lifetime of the fluid container.
- the present disclosure uses the concept and process by which capacitive electrodes are used to detect titling of a fluid container or ink tank, and to take the appropriate precautions to prevent the imaging device from possibly leaking fluid, such as by closing a valve to prevent fluid from flowing to the printhead.
- the present disclosure operates to detect tilt by measuring changes in fluid level which are caused by tilting of the fluid container.
- a container for an imaging device holds a volume of fluid. Its housing defines an interior and a fluid exit port (not shown).
- a pair of metal plates or electrodes is disposed on the housing. These metal plates function as capacitive electrodes and measure the capacitance of the volume of fluid between the capacitive electrodes.
- the capacitance reading is in proportion to the volume of fluid between the capacitive electrodes but not necessarily to the entire volume of fluid inside the container. Even with a constant volume of fluid, the capacitance readings provided by the capacitive electrodes may vary if the container is tilted towards various directions at varying extent. Changes in the volume of fluid between the capacitive electrodes equate to changes in the capacitance readings.
- the capacitance reading provided by the capacitive electrodes may be used as a reference capacitance during tilt detection. For example, when the same container with the same volume of fluid is tilted towards the location of the capacitive electrodes, the volume of fluid between the capacitive electrodes increases and the capacitance reading also increases. Conversely, when the container is tilted towards the opposite direction, the volume of fluid between the capacitive electrodes decreases and the capacitance reading also decreases. In each occasion, tilting may be detected by comparing the capacitance reading to the reference capacitance or the capacitance reading when the container is not tilted. The differences between the capacitance readings may be used to determine the extent of the tilt.
- Further embodiments contemplate setting a new reference capacitance after a predetermined period of operation of the imaging device, taking into account the amount of fluid consumed or used during operation.
- the latest capacitance reading which is within allowable variances may also be saved into a memory to serve as the next reference capacitance.
- first and second electrode pairs on opposing sides of a housing.
- tilt of the housing is made known. The extent of tilting may be also inferred based on amounts of change from one reading to the next.
- FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a fluid container having a pair of capacitive electrodes as in-tank sensors in accordance with the present disclosure
- FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a fluid container of FIG. 1 showing the fluid level at zero tilt;
- FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of a fluid container of FIG. 1 showing the fluid level when the container is tilted towards the location of the pair of capacitive electrodes by an angle ⁇ 1 ;
- FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a fluid container of FIG. 1 showing the fluid level when the container is tilted away from the location of the pair of capacitive electrodes by an angle ⁇ 2 ;
- FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of a second example embodiment of a fluid container having a pair of capacitive electrodes situated in a corner;
- FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the fluid container of FIG. 5 tilted by an angle ⁇ 3 towards the side where the pair of capacitive electrodes is situated;
- FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of the fluid container of FIG. 5 tilted towards the second side by an angle ⁇ 4 .
- FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of a third example embodiment of a fluid container having two pairs of capacitive electrodes situated on adjacent sides of the container.
- FIGS. 9A , 9 B and 9 C are diagrammatic views of the fluid container of FIG. 8 and the two pairs of capacitive electrodes tilted towards the location of the first pair of capacitive electrodes by an angle ⁇ 5 ;
- FIGS. 10A , 10 B and 10 C are diagrammatic views of the fluid container of FIG. 8 and the two pairs of capacitive electrodes tilted towards the location of the second pair of capacitive electrodes by an angle ⁇ 6 ;
- FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view of a fourth example embodiment of the fluid container having a pair of capacitive electrodes installed in a support material so that the capacitive electrodes are not in direct contact with the fluid;
- FIGS. 12A and 12B are first and second parts of a flow chart showing one example method of detecting tilting of the fluid container of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic view of an alternate embodiment of a fluid container having two pairs of capacitive electrodes situated on opposing sides;
- FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic view of the fluid container of FIG. 13 tilted toward the location of a first pair of capacitive electrodes.
- FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic view of the fluid container of FIG. 13 tilted toward the location of a second, opposite pair of capacitive electrodes.
- a container 1 to hold a volume of fluid may include a housing 5 and at least one pair of opposed capacitive electrodes 10 a disposed on the housing 5 .
- the fluid may be any of a variety of inks, such as those based on dye or pigmented formulations, whether water-based or solvent-based.
- the fluid may also typify varieties of color, such as cyan, magenta, yellow, black, etc.
- the item may useful in many applications such as inkjet printing, medicinal delivery, forming circuit traces, food processing, chemical manufacturing, etc.
- the housing 5 in this example embodiment may have a first side 15 , a second side 16 , a third side 17 and a fourth side 18 .
- the at least one pair of opposed capacitive electrodes 10 a may be disposed on the first side 15 .
- the housing 5 may be shaped differently and the present disclosure may apply to fluid containers having different geometric configuration, such as but not limited to cylindrical fluid containers and oval fluid containers.
- FIG. 2 depicts the container 1 containing fluid at fluid level L 0 .
- Fluid level L 0 is a fluid level at zero tilt.
- the capacitive electrodes 10 a may provide a capacitance reading Fref corresponding to the volume of fluid between the capacitive electrodes 10 a .
- the capacitance reading Fref may become a reference capacitance.
- the capacitive electrodes 10 a may provide a first capacitance reading F 1 .
- the first capacitance reading F 1 may be approximately equal to the reference capacitance Fref.
- the volume of fluid between the capacitive electrodes 10 a may increase due to a change in fluid level from fluid level L 0 to fluid level Lt.
- the first capacitance reading F 1 may become higher compared to the reference capacitance Fref.
- FIG. 4 is a view of the fluid container 1 of FIG. 1 showing fluid levels L 0 , Lt when the container 1 is tilted towards the fourth side 18 by an angle ⁇ 2 .
- the volume of fluid between the capacitive electrodes 10 a may decrease and the first capacitance reading F 1 may become lower compared to the reference capacitance Fref.
- tilting of the container 1 may be detected by comparing the first capacitance reading F 1 to the reference capacitance Fref.
- FIG. 5 is a view of a second example embodiment of a fluid container 1 with the pair of capacitive electrodes 10 a disposed on a portion of the first side 15 near the second side 16 .
- FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the fluid container 1 of FIG. 5 tilted by an angle ⁇ 3 towards the first side 15
- FIG. 7 is a view of the fluid container 1 of FIG. 5 tilted towards the second side 16 by an angle ⁇ 4 .
- initial and later capacitance readings from the capacitive electrodes 10 a may be used to detect tilting towards the first side 15 or the second side 16 .
- FIG. 8 shows a third example embodiment of the present disclosure where a second pair of capacitive electrodes 10 b is disposed on the second side 16 of the housing 5 .
- both pairs of capacitive electrodes 10 a , 10 b may be expected to provide approximately equal capacitance readings when the container 1 is not tilted.
- the two pairs of capacitive electrodes 10 a , 10 b may provide capacitance readings F 1 A, F 1 B corresponding to the volume of fluid between each respective pair of capacitive electrodes 10 a , 10 b , as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B .
- Tilting of the container 1 may be determined based on the variance between the capacitance readings F 1 A, F 1 B and the reference capacitance Fref. Tilting may also be determined base only on the variance between the capacitance readings F 1 A and F 1 B.
- FIGS. 9A and 10A show the effect of tilting on the volume of fluid between the capacitive electrodes 10 a .
- FIGS. 9C and 10C show the effect of tilting on the volume of fluid between the capacitive electrodes 10 b.
- a container 1 to hold a volume of fluid includes a housing 5 , at least one pair of capacitive electrodes 10 a disposed on the first side 15 of the interior of the container 1 and a support material 25 for holding the at least one pair of capacitive electrodes 10 a .
- the capacitive electrodes 10 a may not be in direct contact with the fluid in the container 1 .
- the support material 25 may hold the at least one pair of capacitive electrodes 10 a and may provide the surfaces of the capacitive electrodes 10 a with a cover such that there is no direct contact between the capacitive electrodes 10 a and the fluid.
- the possibility of any chemical reaction between the capacitive electrodes 10 a and the fluid is small thus, the chemical composition of the fluid may be preserved and the integrity of the capacitive electrodes 10 a may not be affected.
- Support material 25 including the capacitive electrodes 10 a , may be also configured as a modular nosepiece that attaches to containers of various sizes. In this way, commonality in manufacturing may exist with in-tank sensors regardless of the size of the container to which they attach.
- FIGS. 12A and 12B outline a method of detecting tilting of the container 1 .
- the imaging device is turned on ( 100 ).
- the capacitive electrodes 10 a may provide a controller in the imaging device a first capacitance reading F 1 ( 102 ) corresponding to the volume of fluid between the pair of capacitive electrodes 10 a .
- a previously-saved reference capacitance Fref may be retrieved by the controller ( 104 ).
- the first capacitance reading F 1 may be compared to the reference capacitance Fref ( 106 ).
- a variance between the first capacitance reading F 1 and the reference capacitance Fref may equate to the container 1 being tilted, however, not all variances between the capacitance readings F 1 and the reference capacitance Fref is due to tilting of the container. Variances between the capacitance reading F 1 and the reference capacitance Fref may also be caused by the vibration of the container 1 during operation. Also, not all tilting of the container 1 may cause problem during operation of the imaging device. Minimal tilting, such as those that may not cause the fluid to leak out of the printhead nozzles, may be considered allowable since they do not necessitate the performance of any corrective measures.
- the vibration of the container 1 and the minimal tilting, along with other factors that affect the level of fluid inside the container 1 , may be considered during the determination of a container tilt.
- the variance between the first capacitance reading F 1 and the reference capacitance Fref may be compared to a previously set allowable positive variance X ( 106 ) and negative variance Y ( 108 ) in order to determine whether a variance between the first capacitance reading F 1 and the reference capacitance Fref is indeed caused by tilting of the container 1 and to determine if the extent of tilting necessitates the performance of corrective measures.
- Performing a print job may be suspended for a period of time, such as for one second ( 110 ) to allow the fluid in the container 1 to settle so that the second capacitance reading F 2 may not be affected by any vibration of the container 1 .
- the second capacitance reading F 2 may be obtained ( 112 ).
- the second capacitance reading F 2 may be compared to the reference capacitance Fref ( 114 , 116 ) to determine whether the container 1 is indeed tilted or not.
- the performance of the printing job may be suspended and appropriate pinch valves may be closed ( 118 ) to avoid leaking of fluid in the printhead.
- a user may be prompted to perform corrective measures.
- the system determines if tilt remains and the suspension of operation may be extended until appropriate corrective measure is performed ( 120 ).
- the variance may be compared to the allowable negative variance Y ( 108 ). If the variance is outside the allowable negative variance Y, the performance of the printing job may be suspended for one second ( 110 ) and similar procedure may be performed as when the variance is outside the allowable positive variance X. If, on the other hand, the variance is within the allowable negative variance Y, no tilt is detected, the first capacitance reading F 1 may be saved into the memory for use in determining the next reference capacitance Fnref ( 124 ) and operation may be continued ( 126 ).
- the previous capacitance reading F 1 or F 2 may be made as the new reference capacitance Fnref in the next cycle of operation.
- the new reference capacitance Fnref may also be based on the previous capacitance reading F 1 or F 2 , as the case may be, which is within allowable variances X, Y, and the amount of fluid consumed during a printing operation.
- the previously-closed pinch valves may be opened ( 122 ).
- the imaging device may be turned off ( 130 ) by the user and the appropriate pinch valves may be closed ( 142 ) to prevent fluid from leaking when the imaging device is tilted unintentionally during a state of non-use, such as when the imaging device is moved or transported.
- availability of a new print job may be determined ( 132 ). If a new print job is available, the same procedure for determining tilting while performing a print job may be repeated.
- tilting may be determined ( 134 ). If a tilt is detected ( 136 ), appropriate pinch valves may be closed ( 138 ) to avoid leaking of fluid in the printhead. A user may turn off the imaging device at this stage ( 140 ) to end an operation.
- FIG. 13 depicts two pairs of capacitive electrodes 10 a , 10 b disposed on opposing sides of the housing 5 .
- a first pair of capacitive electrodes 10 a is disposed on the first side 15 of the housing while a second pair of capacitive electrodes 10 b is disposed on an opposing parallel side, e.g., the fourth side 18 .
- both pairs of capacitive electrodes 10 a , 10 b provide an initial capacitance reading. The readings may be equal to one another or not. Later, when the container is tilted toward either the first side 15 as shown in FIG. 14 or towards the fourth side 18 as shown on FIG.
- the capacitance readings of the electrodes either increase or decrease from their initial readings. If the reading F 1 A at electrode pair 10 a increases while that F 1 B at electrode pair 10 b decreases, as in FIG. 14 , it is known that the container tilts in the forward direction toward the electrode pair 10 a . On the other hand, if the reading F 1 A at electrode pair 10 a decreases while that F 1 B at electrode pair 10 b increases, as in FIG. 15 , it is known that the container tilts in the rearward direction toward the electrode pair 10 b . In this way, the method of determining tilt of a container varies from earlier embodiments by avoiding a need for taking a reference reading.
- tilt of housing is made known and corrective action can be taken, if necessary. Also, an amount or extent of tilting may be ascertained according to how drastic the readings vary from their earlier readings. Amounts can be grouped according to percentage change, comparisons of raw values to other values, or by other techniques known to skilled artisans.
Abstract
Description
Claims (4)
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/241,980 US8549764B2 (en) | 2011-09-23 | 2011-09-23 | Fluid tilt sensor within ink tank supply item for micro-fluid applications |
US13/928,500 US9228831B2 (en) | 2011-09-23 | 2013-06-27 | Fluid tilt sensor within ink tank supply item for micro-fluid applications |
US13/928,514 US20130300786A1 (en) | 2011-09-23 | 2013-06-27 | Fluid Tilt Sensor Within Ink Tank Supply Item for Micro-Fluid Applications |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/241,980 US8549764B2 (en) | 2011-09-23 | 2011-09-23 | Fluid tilt sensor within ink tank supply item for micro-fluid applications |
Related Child Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/928,500 Division US9228831B2 (en) | 2011-09-23 | 2013-06-27 | Fluid tilt sensor within ink tank supply item for micro-fluid applications |
US13/928,514 Division US20130300786A1 (en) | 2011-09-23 | 2013-06-27 | Fluid Tilt Sensor Within Ink Tank Supply Item for Micro-Fluid Applications |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20130074595A1 US20130074595A1 (en) | 2013-03-28 |
US8549764B2 true US8549764B2 (en) | 2013-10-08 |
Family
ID=47909753
Family Applications (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/241,980 Expired - Fee Related US8549764B2 (en) | 2011-09-23 | 2011-09-23 | Fluid tilt sensor within ink tank supply item for micro-fluid applications |
US13/928,500 Active 2032-09-25 US9228831B2 (en) | 2011-09-23 | 2013-06-27 | Fluid tilt sensor within ink tank supply item for micro-fluid applications |
US13/928,514 Abandoned US20130300786A1 (en) | 2011-09-23 | 2013-06-27 | Fluid Tilt Sensor Within Ink Tank Supply Item for Micro-Fluid Applications |
Family Applications After (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/928,500 Active 2032-09-25 US9228831B2 (en) | 2011-09-23 | 2013-06-27 | Fluid tilt sensor within ink tank supply item for micro-fluid applications |
US13/928,514 Abandoned US20130300786A1 (en) | 2011-09-23 | 2013-06-27 | Fluid Tilt Sensor Within Ink Tank Supply Item for Micro-Fluid Applications |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (3) | US8549764B2 (en) |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20120111107A1 (en) * | 2009-07-10 | 2012-05-10 | Sony Corporation | Liquid tank and fuel cell |
US20120266470A1 (en) * | 2011-04-22 | 2012-10-25 | Ekchian Jack A | Displacement Sensor with Reduced Hysteresis |
US20140183087A1 (en) * | 2012-12-31 | 2014-07-03 | Funai Electric Co., Ltd. | Fluid Level Sensing Tank Materials |
US10448875B2 (en) | 2015-10-15 | 2019-10-22 | Stream DX, Inc | Capacitive measurement device with integrated electrical and mechanical shielding |
US10709373B2 (en) | 2014-03-31 | 2020-07-14 | University Of Utah Research Foundation | Fluid analysis device and associated systems and methods |
CN113435423A (en) * | 2021-08-26 | 2021-09-24 | 湖南孚谷物联科技有限公司 | Dish quantity identification method and system based on Internet of things |
US11473958B2 (en) | 2017-05-22 | 2022-10-18 | Stream DX, Inc | Capacitive measurement device with minimized sensitivity to manufacturing variability and environmental changes |
US20230358582A1 (en) * | 2022-05-04 | 2023-11-09 | Spraying Systems Co. | Flowmeter and method |
Families Citing this family (21)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9604237B2 (en) * | 2014-09-12 | 2017-03-28 | Deere & Company | Pitch-based control for sprayers and sprayer operations |
JP6721395B2 (en) * | 2016-04-15 | 2020-07-15 | ローム株式会社 | Liquid level detection circuit for liquid container, printer, and printing system |
JP6739221B2 (en) * | 2016-04-27 | 2020-08-12 | Kyb株式会社 | Sensor and method of manufacturing sensor |
JP6581963B2 (en) * | 2016-12-27 | 2019-09-25 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | Liquid level detection device and fuel cell system |
JP7305973B2 (en) | 2019-02-12 | 2023-07-11 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | printer |
JP7322420B2 (en) * | 2019-02-12 | 2023-08-08 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | printer |
JP2020128056A (en) | 2019-02-12 | 2020-08-27 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | Printing device |
JP7322419B2 (en) | 2019-02-12 | 2023-08-08 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | printer |
JP7298173B2 (en) | 2019-02-12 | 2023-06-27 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | printer |
JP7247625B2 (en) | 2019-02-12 | 2023-03-29 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | Electronics |
JP7211133B2 (en) | 2019-02-12 | 2023-01-24 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | Printing device production method |
JP7255217B2 (en) | 2019-02-12 | 2023-04-11 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | printer |
JP7404707B2 (en) | 2019-08-20 | 2023-12-26 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | printing device |
JP7326988B2 (en) | 2019-08-20 | 2023-08-16 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | printer |
JP7400260B2 (en) | 2019-08-20 | 2023-12-19 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | printing device |
JP7334535B2 (en) | 2019-08-20 | 2023-08-29 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | printer |
EP4118401A4 (en) * | 2020-03-11 | 2024-04-10 | Analog Devices Inc | Drug delivery monitoring system |
JP7452133B2 (en) | 2020-03-17 | 2024-03-19 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | printing device |
JP2021146534A (en) | 2020-03-17 | 2021-09-27 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | Printing device |
JP7452132B2 (en) | 2020-03-17 | 2024-03-19 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | printing device |
JP2023003698A (en) * | 2021-06-24 | 2023-01-17 | キヤノン株式会社 | Recording device and control method |
Citations (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3929071A (en) | 1974-12-23 | 1975-12-30 | Ibm | Ink recirculating system for ink jet printing apparatus |
US4201085A (en) | 1978-12-14 | 1980-05-06 | Larson Roger G | Apparatus for determining the liquid level in a tank |
US4415886A (en) | 1980-08-12 | 1983-11-15 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Residual ink detection mechanism |
US4528760A (en) * | 1980-02-28 | 1985-07-16 | Pa Consulting Services Limited | Clinometer |
US4853718A (en) | 1988-08-15 | 1989-08-01 | Xerox Corporation | On chip conductive fluid sensing circuit |
US5182947A (en) * | 1990-03-07 | 1993-02-02 | Hl Planartechnik Gmbh | Electric measuring arrangement for determining the level of an electrically conductive liquid |
US5289211A (en) | 1991-04-15 | 1994-02-22 | Ing. S. Olivetti & C., S.p.A. | Ink detecting device for a liquid-ink printing element |
US5423214A (en) * | 1993-02-01 | 1995-06-13 | Calvin S. Lee | Variable fluid and tilt level sensing probe system |
US5635962A (en) | 1995-07-24 | 1997-06-03 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Capacitive ink level detection sensor |
US5682184A (en) | 1995-12-18 | 1997-10-28 | Xerox Corporation | System for sensing ink level and type of ink for an ink jet printer |
US5788388A (en) | 1997-01-21 | 1998-08-04 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Ink jet cartridge with ink level detection |
US7370528B2 (en) | 2002-07-10 | 2008-05-13 | Telecom Italia S.P.A. | System for detecting the level of liquid in a tank |
US7510257B2 (en) | 2005-08-05 | 2009-03-31 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Ink level detecting device functioning as cover opening sensor and ink-jet image forming apparatus having the same |
US7555231B2 (en) | 2006-09-14 | 2009-06-30 | Lexmark International, Inc. | Capacitive toner level sensor and methods of use |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4686628A (en) | 1984-07-19 | 1987-08-11 | Fairchild Camera & Instrument Corp. | Electric device or circuit testing method and apparatus |
US5726908A (en) * | 1995-03-20 | 1998-03-10 | Figgie International Inc. | Liquid quantity sensor and method |
US5790422A (en) * | 1995-03-20 | 1998-08-04 | Figgie International Inc. | Method and apparatus for determining the quantity of a liquid in a container independent of its spatial orientation |
US6934644B2 (en) * | 1996-06-04 | 2005-08-23 | Warren Rogers Associates, Inc. | Method and apparatus for monitoring operational performance of fluid storage systems |
JP4712212B2 (en) * | 2001-03-28 | 2011-06-29 | 株式会社トプコン | Laser sighting device |
CN2727517Y (en) | 2002-04-12 | 2005-09-21 | 精工爱普生株式会社 | Valve gear |
-
2011
- 2011-09-23 US US13/241,980 patent/US8549764B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2013
- 2013-06-27 US US13/928,500 patent/US9228831B2/en active Active
- 2013-06-27 US US13/928,514 patent/US20130300786A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3929071A (en) | 1974-12-23 | 1975-12-30 | Ibm | Ink recirculating system for ink jet printing apparatus |
US4201085A (en) | 1978-12-14 | 1980-05-06 | Larson Roger G | Apparatus for determining the liquid level in a tank |
US4528760A (en) * | 1980-02-28 | 1985-07-16 | Pa Consulting Services Limited | Clinometer |
US4415886A (en) | 1980-08-12 | 1983-11-15 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Residual ink detection mechanism |
US4853718A (en) | 1988-08-15 | 1989-08-01 | Xerox Corporation | On chip conductive fluid sensing circuit |
US5182947A (en) * | 1990-03-07 | 1993-02-02 | Hl Planartechnik Gmbh | Electric measuring arrangement for determining the level of an electrically conductive liquid |
US5289211A (en) | 1991-04-15 | 1994-02-22 | Ing. S. Olivetti & C., S.p.A. | Ink detecting device for a liquid-ink printing element |
US5423214A (en) * | 1993-02-01 | 1995-06-13 | Calvin S. Lee | Variable fluid and tilt level sensing probe system |
US5635962A (en) | 1995-07-24 | 1997-06-03 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Capacitive ink level detection sensor |
US5682184A (en) | 1995-12-18 | 1997-10-28 | Xerox Corporation | System for sensing ink level and type of ink for an ink jet printer |
US5788388A (en) | 1997-01-21 | 1998-08-04 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Ink jet cartridge with ink level detection |
US7370528B2 (en) | 2002-07-10 | 2008-05-13 | Telecom Italia S.P.A. | System for detecting the level of liquid in a tank |
US7510257B2 (en) | 2005-08-05 | 2009-03-31 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Ink level detecting device functioning as cover opening sensor and ink-jet image forming apparatus having the same |
US7555231B2 (en) | 2006-09-14 | 2009-06-30 | Lexmark International, Inc. | Capacitive toner level sensor and methods of use |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
D.W. Phillips, "Capacitive Ink Level Detector", IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 16, No. 10, Mar. 1974, pp. 3293 and 3294. |
Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20120111107A1 (en) * | 2009-07-10 | 2012-05-10 | Sony Corporation | Liquid tank and fuel cell |
US8850884B2 (en) * | 2009-07-10 | 2014-10-07 | Sony Corporation | Liquid tank and fuel cell |
US20120266470A1 (en) * | 2011-04-22 | 2012-10-25 | Ekchian Jack A | Displacement Sensor with Reduced Hysteresis |
US8800155B2 (en) * | 2011-04-22 | 2014-08-12 | Jack A. Ekchian | Displacement sensor with reduced hysteresis |
US20140183087A1 (en) * | 2012-12-31 | 2014-07-03 | Funai Electric Co., Ltd. | Fluid Level Sensing Tank Materials |
US10709373B2 (en) | 2014-03-31 | 2020-07-14 | University Of Utah Research Foundation | Fluid analysis device and associated systems and methods |
US10448875B2 (en) | 2015-10-15 | 2019-10-22 | Stream DX, Inc | Capacitive measurement device with integrated electrical and mechanical shielding |
US11473958B2 (en) | 2017-05-22 | 2022-10-18 | Stream DX, Inc | Capacitive measurement device with minimized sensitivity to manufacturing variability and environmental changes |
CN113435423A (en) * | 2021-08-26 | 2021-09-24 | 湖南孚谷物联科技有限公司 | Dish quantity identification method and system based on Internet of things |
CN113435423B (en) * | 2021-08-26 | 2021-11-16 | 湖南孚谷物联科技有限公司 | Dish quantity identification method and system based on Internet of things |
US20230358582A1 (en) * | 2022-05-04 | 2023-11-09 | Spraying Systems Co. | Flowmeter and method |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US9228831B2 (en) | 2016-01-05 |
US20130286064A1 (en) | 2013-10-31 |
US20130074595A1 (en) | 2013-03-28 |
US20130300786A1 (en) | 2013-11-14 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US8549764B2 (en) | Fluid tilt sensor within ink tank supply item for micro-fluid applications | |
US9919534B2 (en) | Consumable supply item with fluid sensing and pump enable for micro-fluid applications | |
KR100546494B1 (en) | Ink level estimation using drop count and ink level sense | |
US7654655B2 (en) | Labyrinth seal structure | |
US8635908B2 (en) | Fluid tilt sensor within ink tank supply item for micro-fluid applications | |
US20090229683A1 (en) | Non-contact type water level control apparatus | |
US20070040859A1 (en) | Liquid container and liquid ejection device | |
US20040066436A1 (en) | Pressure-based ink level sense enhancement using a pressure controlling element in an ink bag | |
JP2015533694A (en) | Fluid level sensing device for ink jet printing system and method of use thereof | |
US10569560B2 (en) | Inkjet printing apparatus and ink filling method for the same | |
EP2741918B1 (en) | Fluid ejection devices and methods thereof | |
CN103857529B (en) | The method of test fluid and assembly | |
EP2712342B1 (en) | Inkjet printhead device, fluid ejection device, and method thereof | |
US9895899B2 (en) | Consumable supply item | |
US20170297345A1 (en) | Liquid container, liquid remaining amount detection circuit of liquid container, liquid remaining amount detection method, liquid container identification method, ink mounting unit, printer, and print system | |
US20200346467A1 (en) | Fluid reservoirs | |
US20190329564A1 (en) | Ink level detecting device of ink supply system | |
US8491111B2 (en) | Consumable supply item with capacitive fluid level detection for micro-fluid applications | |
US11235582B2 (en) | Detecting ink states for printers based on monitored differential pressures | |
WO2020117251A1 (en) | Calibration chambers to calibrate reservoir gauges | |
GB2554923A (en) | Improvements in or relating to inkjet printers | |
KR20070012992A (en) | Ink level detecting apparatus of ink-jet printer and detecting method thereof |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC., KENTUCKY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MUYSKENS, ROBERT H;WEBB, GREGORY T;GRAY, TREVOR D;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:026957/0781 Effective date: 20110923 |
|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CHINA CITIC BANK CORPORATION LIMITED, GUANGZHOU BR Free format text: PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.;REEL/FRAME:046989/0396 Effective date: 20180402 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CHINA CITIC BANK CORPORATION LIMITED, GUANGZHOU BR Free format text: CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT U.S. PATENT NUMBER PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 046989 FRAME: 0396. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.;REEL/FRAME:047760/0795 Effective date: 20180402 |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: MAINTENANCE FEE REMINDER MAILED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: REM.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
LAPS | Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED FOR FAILURE TO PAY MAINTENANCE FEES (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: EXP.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
STCH | Information on status: patent discontinuation |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |
|
FP | Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee |
Effective date: 20211008 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC., KENTUCKY Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:CHINA CITIC BANK CORPORATION LIMITED, GUANGZHOU BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:066345/0026 Effective date: 20220713 |